It is distributed in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It is distributed in eastern Africa, the waters near Japan, the Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, Polynesia, etc. It inhabits coral reefs and rocky reefs at a depth of several meters.
It grows to a total length of about 38 cm. Changes in body color and pattern can be seen depending on the area. The thorns are toxic. Large males make up a harem.
It mainly eats algae, but it seems that it also eats crustaceans.
